Casey Anthony murder trial garners extensive media coverage

The media coverage on the Casey Anthony murder case drew comparisons to the trials of O.J. Simpson and the Menendez brothers nearly two decades ago. A look at some coverage and its impact:

•Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, truTV, HLN, along with local and other national networks, carried Tuesday’s verdict live.

•More than 600 press passes were doled out for media coverage, and every major broadcast network has had at least one reporter at the trial.

•CNN and NBC built two-story air-conditioned structures across from the courthouse for reporters and crews.

•People magazine has had writers in court every day, recently splashing the case on its cover.

•HLN and truTV covered extensively, from early morning through prime time. Nancy Grace and Jane Velez-Mitchell dedicated prime-time shows to the case; Joy Behar and Dr. Drew often did nightly segments.

•ABC News recently pushed back the launch of supernatural series “Beyond Belief” to air “Crime & Punishment: The Casey Anthony Story” as a “Primetime Nightline” special.

•NBC’s “Dateline” recently won the night in younger viewers with a trial-centric special.

•CBS News’ “48 Hours Mystery” has devoted several prime-time hourlong specials to the case, including the recent episode “Only Casey Knows.”

•The Orlando courtroom became a tourist destination, with spectators coming from outside Florida to vie for the 50 seats available to the public (at least one fistfight broke out among the crowd).

—T. L. Stanley